Only if you say yes!! (En-drama)

Old ghosts in the rain. (Jake)

The rain poured heavily, creating a dull roar that filled the air. Most students had already dashed home, umbrellas overhead, leaving the school grounds almost deserted. Under a small overhang by the side of the school building, Jake stood quietly, watching the raindrops fall, his hands deep in his pockets. He wasn't in a hurry to leave. The rain was calming, a perfect backdrop for the thoughts swirling in his mind.

The steady rhythm of the rain pulled him back to memories of elementary school—back when he was a scrawny kid with glasses that were too big for his face. Those days seemed so distant, yet some things felt as close as ever. He thought of Eunjin, the girl who had captured his attention so effortlessly, the girl who he'd confessed to with his young, trembling heart.

Back then, Jake had been awkward and shy, always hiding behind his books. Eunjin had been the opposite—confident, loud, and always surrounded by friends. She had a way of drawing people in, and Jake was no exception. He'd admired her from afar for weeks, heart racing whenever she laughed or flashed a smile. His friends had egged him on, encouraging him to confess his feelings. And he did.

One day, with his hands trembling and his heart pounding, he'd approached her during lunch. He'd bought a pair of matching keychains shaped like cartoonish cats—one white and one pink. The white one was his, and the pink one, he hoped, would be hers. "E-Eunjin, I like you," he'd stuttered, thrusting the pink keychain toward her. His cheeks burned with embarrassment, and his voice barely rose above the chatter of other students.

Eunjin had looked at him with surprise before a small, amused smile crept onto her lips. "Oh, Jake," she said, her voice light, "that's sweet, but... you're just not my type. I like guys who are taller and more outgoing. You're a little... quiet." She hadn't meant to be cruel, but her words stung, and Jake could only nod, swallowing back his disappointment. He pocketed the white cat keychain and watched as she turned away, her friends giggling behind her.

That memory had lingered with him for years. Now, as he stood in the rain, he thought he'd buried those feelings deep enough that they wouldn't resurface. But seeing Eunjin again in high school had stirred something within him. She still had that confident air about her, still smiled in that way that seemed to light up a room. Jake knew he should move on, but his feelings were more stubborn than his reason.

Today, however, he heard something he hadn't expected.

Across the courtyard, under another overhang, Eunjin stood with her friends, sharing an umbrella. Her voice carried over the sound of the rain, clear and unmistakable. Jake wasn't the one who overheard, but his friend Sunoo was just nearby, loitering by the stairs as he waited for Jake.

"Can you believe it?" Eunjin's voice was filled with mock disbelief. "Jake from elementary school—he used to be so ugly and short, like this little bug or something. And now suddenly, he's all tall and had this glow-up. It's like, what happened? Did he eat some magic beans or something?"

The girls around her giggled, and Eunjin continued with a smirk, "Seriously, he was so pathetic back then, confessing with those silly keychains. I mean, I guess I'm just lucky—I get to see these late bloomers."

Sunoo's eyes narrowed as he listened. His protective instincts flared up, especially knowing how Jake still harbored feelings for her. Sunoo wasn't the type to hold back, especially when someone was bad-mouthing a friend. Without hesitation, he marched over to where Eunjin and her group stood, his steps echoing even in the rain.

"Eunjin," Sunoo called out, his voice sharp enough to cut through the downpour. The group turned, startled by his sudden approach. "You know, talking like that about someone behind their back is pretty low," he said, his tone filled with disdain.

Eunjin blinked, caught off guard for a moment, but quickly recovered. "Oh, look, it's Jake's little guardian angel," she said, rolling her eyes. "Why do you care? It's not like I said anything untrue."

Sunoo's eyes were piercing. "Maybe because it's cowardly to mock someone who's done nothing to you. Especially when you know he wouldn't say anything back."

Eunjin raised an eyebrow, her irritation obvious. "And what are you going to do about it? Go tattle to the teachers?" She smirked, tilting her head in a challenge.

Sunoo took a deep breath, knowing now wasn't the time to start a scene. "I don't need to do anything. Just thought you should know it's pretty sad," he replied coolly before turning to walk away. "And by the way, we all change. Maybe you should try it sometime."

He made his way back to Jake, who had been watching from a distance, too far to hear the conversation but close enough to see Sunoo's expression. "What was that all about?" Jake asked, a bit concerned.

Sunoo sighed, his frown deepening. "Just Eunjin being Eunjin. You know how she is—doesn't really care who she steps on."

Jake's eyes shifted, unsure. "She's not that bad, Sunoo. Maybe she just... doesn't think before she speaks."

Sunoo looked at Jake, almost incredulous. "You still like her, don't you?" he asked, more of a statement than a question.

Jake hesitated, his gaze falling to the wet ground. "I don't know. Maybe? It's just... complicated. She was my first crush, you know?"

Sunoo let out a breath, feeling frustrated but not wanting to push Jake too hard. "Jake, I get it. First crushes are tough to get over. But just be careful, okay? I'm telling you, something about her doesn't sit right with me. Especially after today."

Jake nodded, but he couldn't help the conflicted feelings swirling in his chest. He still had that old keychain in his pocket—the white cat he'd held onto since elementary school. A part of him still remembered how his heart had raced when he'd confessed, how hopeful he'd felt. That part of him hadn't completely disappeared.

As they walked away from the school, the rain continued to pour, washing away the day's tension. But Jake knew that the storm inside him wasn't so easily washed away. And even though Sunoo had his doubts, Jake couldn't help but wonder if there was still a chance to see something good in Eunjin.

As they headed home, Sunoo's words echoed in his mind: "Just be careful." Jake knew he needed to be, but his heart was stubborn, still clinging to the what-ifs of an old memory.